Breeders’ Cup pre-draw

The 23rd Breeders’ Cup will be held a week from Saturday at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Wednesday, 121 horses were pre-entered in the eight championship races. And here’s a surprise: trainer Todd Pletcher, who dominated the Saratoga meet last summer, led everyone with 18 — 18! — horses. He’ll have horses in every race but the Mile and he has legitimate shots to win at least two races. The $5 million Classic, the showcase of the day, will feature the imposing Bernardini, who will go off as the favorite. He is expected to be challenged by Lava Man from the West Coast, Invasor from the East Coast and others including Giacomo, last year’s surprise Derby winner and Brother Derek, a highly touted 3-year-old from this year’s Triple Crown trail. Pletcher pre-entered two of his horses for the Classic — Lawyer Ron and Flower Alley — but only the lawyer got in. Flower Alley did not qualify and will need one of the 14 horses to scratch in order to get in. He might get the help; Discreet Cat, the impressive 3-year-old, is pre-entered but most likely will pass on the BCup and run in the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Nov. 25. If you want to try and beat Bernardini, you’ve got a little more than a week to figure it out. Good luck